Interview: Taj & Lelee of SWV discuss album “Still”

My interview with SWV's Taj and Lelee.

The new SWV album, Still, which serves as their fifth project is available in stores and online now.

Terrance - In the last episode of SWV Reunited we’ve seen you Taj struggle with vocal issues and the group’s shift in managerial changes from Cory to Max Gousse. Fast-forwarding today, your voice has recovered and there’s a new manager by the name of Brooke Payne. Tell us how did this all come full circle?

Taj - It's really simple. During SWV Reunited we had a shake up with Cory where we replaced him with Max Gousse in an attempt to pick up the pace for SWV. Unfortunately, It didn't work out the way we had anticipated with Max. At that point, we turned to a tried and true mentor, Brooke Payne. We needed him to come in and clean up the basics before we could move forward. Basics meaning, stage show, immediate business accounts and loose ends as far as completing the album was concerned. Now that all of that is done we're ready to move forward.

Terrance - Did you all go in the studio with a direction in mind for the Still project or did it emerge once you started working?

Taj - Yes. We decided to name the album first. We decided to call the album "Still" because it describes SWV's last quarter of a century perfectly. After all of the ups and downs, the highs and the lows, we're STILL here doing what we do as the original three, well!

Lelee - Well we always have a team meeting to discuss the direction of an album. For me, I felt like vocally we were still there and didn't have much to prove in that department ,so with this album, I wanted us to have a little fun and take chances . I believe we accomplished that with "Still".

Terrance - The lead single “Ain’t No Man” and “M.C.E. (Man Crush Everyday)” have been making quite a buzz. Will there be a music video for “M.C.E.” or are there plans for the next single?

Lelee - I hope so. I guess if the fans stay excited enough we'd do a video.

Taj - Yes. We're about to shoot a video for M.C.E now. Coming soon.....

Terrance - Is there a personal favorite song from the album?

Lelee - Mine is "Ain't No Man".  Lyrically I feel it's a beautifully written song. Everyone wants their man to be the best. He may not be perfect but he's perfect for you.

Taj - I really love them all but my super favorite is "On Tonight."  It reminds of Bruno Mars!  I love his vibe. I would love for him to do a remix on that song. It would be so dope!  

Terrance - What’s the experience like to incorporate the new songs into your setlist for your performances and people know the words?

Lelee - It's a tiring process because we have to actually rehearse HARD and possibly take some of the old songs out, which i don't like doing all the time because you become attached to some of those songs.  

Taj - Anytime the audience sings your songs is such a blessing. I get amped up anytime I hear the audience say my name. I almost explode when they sing the actual song.

Terrance - We always hear artists say they are bored or tired of performing a particular popular song in their catalog but know fans want to hear it. Has that ever been the case with you all?

Taj - Look!  It's not everyday an artist that's been in the business for as long as we have, and still touring as much as we are, can say that they are doing what we're doing. We don't mind singing any of our hits!  Not a problem at all Boo!

Lelee - Not for me most of the time. But if I had to chose one it would have to be "Right Here". That song is so boring to me performing it (laughs). But the fans love so that's all that matters.

Terrance - After the third album, Release Some Tension, the group broke up and went your separate ways but did that ever at any point affect your love for singing?

Lelee - Not for singing, but the business of singing maybe. I was so detached from the industry and the people in it. I had to find myself because I was so caught up in what people wanted of me and my marriage to SWV. I had to figure out the hard way that I wasn't just a singer and there was so much more to life than holding a mic to sing. I can hold it now to just talk and speak to people through a transparent lens.

Taj - You never lose your love for singing. You might not sing those songs as much. But you always love doing what you're passionate about.

Terrance - Looking back from where you all started til now what have you witnessed in the music industry both positive and negative?

Lelee - You can hardly find someone that's real. Those who are close to you have motives. They either love you or love who you're connected too. Fans make my day always. They brought us here in ‘92 and we're still here in 2016. You have to watch your business and not give ANYONE complete control ever!!!!

Taj - Positive: I've witnessed my life change in an instant with one hit record. We went from completely unknown to everyone's Best-friend overnight. Being able to experience your wildest dreams so young was amazing. Negative: When the industry turns on you its like a nuclear heartache. The boyfriend that once loved you now tells you you're not good enough. No matter how hard you try to be the best you can be for him.

Terrance - Thoughts on the girl groups who started out when you all but aren’t around anymore.

Lelee - Hey it happens. It's a season for everything. It's just hard for groups period to stay around either because you can't get along or the music you putting out is wack and the label will drop you. It's hard to recover from that.

Taj - It's unfortunate that the girl groups have faded. We, meaning girl groups, were dominate in the 90s!  The guys looked at girl groups as competition back then. I'm not sure what happened but it can't be too late to bring the glory back.

Terrance - For the hardcore fans can you explain why you all were not on the single/video version of “Slow Jams” that featured Babyface, Portrait and Quincy Jones?

Taj - I believe Quincy Jones signed Tamia after we had recorded the song. He needed a hit record to introduce his artist. It's business. She was amazing on the song. It launched her career.

Lelee - I have no idea. Maybe they didn't wanna pay for our flight (laughs).

Terrance - Are there any personal favorite unreleased songs or songs you all thought should have been singles but the labels went against?

Taj - My favorite unreleased song right now is "The Best Years" off of our 2012 I Missed Us album and "When This Feeling" off of our New Beginning album. My favs.

Lelee - A gang of them!! Back in the day they made the right choices except for the Release Some Tension album. They soaked up our budget for nothing. This album STILL, I thought "On Tonight " should've been second single.

Terrance - What are your thoughts on this generation of artists sampling and covering your past work?

Taj - It's an honor!  It just lets you know that you're doing a good job. Well enough to be sampled and covered years after your glory days.

Lelee - I love it, too bad the only ones reaping the benefits are BMG and Brian Morgan (laughs).

Terrance - If you all could go back and correct one thing either creatively or internally within SWV what would it be?

Taj - I would want to go back and find the perfect manager first. I think that was our first misstep. From there it was downhill.

Lelee - None of us would've had outside influences.

Terrance - Are there any goals you all would like to fulfill outside of music?

Taj - I want to do more songwriting and I'm going to produce a successful sitcom. Doing it!

Lelee - Absolutely, I fell in love with television in front and behind camera. I'm developing shows now.  My dream is to open up a transitional home for teen and single parents as well as do a jazz/ blues EP. Being an author is on my list as well.

Terrance - Thus far what has been the highlight of being in SWV?

Taj - Simply that!  Being one third of SWV!  POW.

Lelee - The fans of course and everyone who loves us. I appreciate genuine people. Also, Working with two of the most amazing and talented women anyone could ask for. We've been through a lot but it was that darkness that strengthened us as a group and individually.

Terrance - Any final words for the readers?

Taj - Thank you for being there for us for so long!  We are nothing without you guys‼️

Lelee - Thanks for reading, caring, following, supporting, helping us in our efforts to bring light to sisterhood in this crazy industry.

Aaron Camper Interview

My interview with singer/songwriter, Aaron Camper. Hailing out of Salisbury, MD, Aaron Camper is a well-known explosive performer who is ready to share his music with the world. As the son of a preacher, he was exposed to the best music and performers from all genres. His musical influences and heroes are The Winans, Michael McDonald, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Phil Collins to name a few.

Terrance - When did you first fall in love with music?

Aaron Camper - I'd say I fell in love with music at a young age but not in the typical way. I wasn't goin around saying i’d be a singer or anything but I knew what I felt whenever I heard something new riding in the car w/ my dad. I'd say that sparked my initial interest.

Terrance - You have a buzz single out called, “Sunset”. Tell us about that and what you have in store for yourself?

Aaron Camper - Yes Sunset is out check NOW https://soundcloud.com/aaroncamper/sunset. Def a record I enjoyed making w/ Luke Witherspoon, DJ Bowden & NSFR so DEF check it out and let me know how everybody feels about it. I also have an EP that should be released before this summer called "B.L.O.W" (Better Left On Wax) that I'm very excited to share with the world.

Terrance - How did the song “Hypnotizing” come together?

Aaron Camper - It came together rather quickly...the music was already finished by my man DJ Camper and Tytewriter had the lyrics and melodies down so for me all I had to do was come in and express myself.

Terrance - Recently you were on tour with singer JoJo. What was that like?

Aaron Camper - It was a super dope experience, met newer, more beautiful people literally in the country that love music so the shows just clicked.

Terrance - You’ve toured with Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Jill Scott/Maxwell in various places of the world but if you could perform anywhere in the world you haven’t yet where would it be and why?

Aaron Camper - It'd be in the same exact places I've traced already with the great names I’ve been blessed to work with. The difference now is I'm equipped with music I loved being apart of creating and can't wait to perform. Not too many places that isn't a favorite to perform in now.

Terrance - You co-wrote a song called “Power” for Marvin Sapp’s Grammy nominated Thirsty project. What was it like to be part of that whole experience?

Aaron Camper - Ahh man that was so long ago, I remember it was quick how I find out and by then it was time to get on stage somewhere again. But I was honored for sure, very appreciative for that moment.

Terrance - As a songwriter, where do you draw inspiration from?

Aaron Camper - Oh inspirations everywhere...Life, my people, friends & situations but mainly I just draw from the music that inspired me mainly.

Terrance - How did you get involved with the theme song for The Queen Latifah Show?

Aaron Camper - My partner Adam Blackstone was working on another project he'd come across and figured the song would be perfect to try and pitch and thank God and (Dana Owens) liked it and decided to make the rest happen.

Terrance - Which do you ultimately prefer: Performing on stage or creating in the studio?

Aaron Camper - The studio has been a weird process to try and catch your stride over the past few years but now I think it's getting even. Normally the stage easy, but we're catching up in the studio.

Terrance - Do you consider social media fundamental to an artist career and independent music in general?

Aaron Camper - These days it's kinda linked in with the job, it's never been important until now really so it's not the end all be all, but necessary.

Terrance - Which artists are you currently listening to?

Aaron Camper - A lotttta good music out right now; I love King, Mark Ronson's always jumpin..I heard some of Disclosures new one and Emily King too..other than that it's all classics.

Terrance - What era of music inspires you the most?

Aaron Camper - I'd say I'm a weirdo in that way becuz I've got my periods in every era that has affected my music in so many different ways. I'm just a student.

Terrance - How would you describe your overall artistry? Some say you’re Gospel, some say Pop, some say R&B, some say Dance.

Aaron Camper - Finally free man..I don’t know, that name game gets tricky but that's not my job right now. I create and you all help define where you all want it. I'm human I'd say I'm all those genres & things.

Terrance - What’s the one thing you would never do in your quest to achieve a successful musical career?

Aaron Camper - Sell myself short for a quick second at lookin like I made it with no real proven accomplishments. I think I just wanna earn mine at this point.

Terrance - At this point in your career, what has been the biggest achievement?

Aaron Camper - I think my entire journey has been points of frequent ups and downs. So much so there isn't too many one time moments. I haven't had enuff of those on my own..so we're creating now so that one day we can all sit back and truly recognize some bigger achievements.

Terrance - What’s the best piece of advice given so far about the business?

Aaron Camper - Jill Scott told me once "everybody can sing, but everybody's not honest." Realist s*** I've ever heard.

Terrance - Is there anything else you would like to leave our readers with?

Aaron Camper - Of course I always wanna say thanks to any of them out there who like what's been coming out lately, we're working diligently and moving precisely to make sure this music will sit well with you in every aspect of your day. And stay tuned!

Kyle Dion Interview

My interview with 21 year old rising artist, Kyle Dion! It’s been about a year since Kyle Dion delivered his debut mixtape, Sixes and Sevens, and now he’s back with an EP called, Painting Sounds (purchase here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/painting-sounds/id1071957864). Check out his latest single Get You Alone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQzbAWRQ78c. The singer has mastered the concept of audial art as the title suggests.

Terrance - Your EP titled Painting Sounds is available now. How did you come up with the title?  Kyle Dion - I knew I wanted to do a project that would give off completely different vibes through each track and I thought to myself, Every color stands alone and gives off a different vibe and makes you feel a certain way. With that in mind, "Painting Sounds." Terrance - Tell us about the lead single “Another Life”. Was it written from a personal experience or the experience of someone else? Kyle Dion - Personal and just every person I’ve come in contact with as a young adult. You just see all different kinds of people and lives and how everyone lives those lives and you can relate. Sometimes we feel like "Fuck everything, life is so hard, my life sucks." Sometimes we have everything we asked for yet we still have that emptiness inside, so our accomplishments are shadowed by an undercurrent of sadness with a non-fulfillment feeling. Then, sometimes you're great, happy where you are, happy with your growth, excited to grow more and learn, live. All different perspectives of this reality inspired the song. Terrance - Your falsetto technique is utilized in the song “Get You Alone”. Creatively how did that song come together and what was it like? Kyle Dion - My friend/producer, Dust, we've been doing this for a good couple of years now. He lives in Seoul Korea so we have sessions over facetime and create from scratch. He sends the track over and I write & lay the vocals and BAM...pretty smooth process really. The song basically came about through a personal experience I had. I wrote the song in an hour (the experience was pretty fresh, haha). On "Get You Alone" in particular, we also had SJ (also a producer) who is in Korea with Dust, lay the chords down.  They both have another track together with me on my last mixtape project, "Sixes & Sevens." They're a sick duo and I’m glad to have them apart of the team. Terrance - If you could only pick one song from your EP to look out for or recommend what would it be? Kyle Dion - "Your Soul" mostly because of the lyrics. Terrance - What is it you would like listeners to take from their listening experience with Painting Sounds? Kyle Dion - I’m a storyteller, so just to sit back and have an escape from reality for 30 minutes and imagine the pictures I'm painting when listening. Terrance - What’s one key quality that make an artist great? Kyle Dion - There is only one...persistence. Terrance - How would you best describe your overall sound? Kyle Dion - R&B, Funk, Neo-Soul, Jazzy, Pop. Terrance - If you could perform with any iconic artist who would it be and why? Kyle Dion - Michael Jackson because...Michael Jackson. Terrance - Who are some artists you’re currently listening to? Kyle Dion - I’m listening to a lot of cool artists right now that my project is finalized. I tend to not really listen to anyone when in the process of creating a full body of work but, Erykah’s last tape is lovely; Goldlink…and I recently stumbled across Eryn Allen Kane...just loving all the new music I'm hearing, glad to be apart of this time in music. Terrance - How can our readers get in touch with you in social media? Kyle Dion - twitter, instagram, snapchat @iKyledion Terrance - Any final words? Kyle Dion - Go buy "Painting Sounds," I need an iPhone 6!

Interview: TQ Discuss New Music, Creating "Westside", Cash Money & More!

My interview with singer, songwriter and producer TQ. Best known for songs like “Westside”, “Way of Life”, “Bye Bye Baby” and “Daily”.

TQ began his musical career in the early 90’s in the teen R&B group Coming of Age which scored the hit “Coming Home to Love” and since then he’s released 7 albums and 2 EPs...here’s TQ!

Terrance - Your newest EP, BAEList - Vol. 1 is out now. How did you come up with the concept?

TQ - Well, basically it’s a membership on my website called BAERoom where it’s supposed to be women only but what they do is they pay a membership per month and they just get exclusive stuff that the rest of the site doesn’t get like photo shoots, music, videos, I give them a call periodically, sometimes when it’s Valentine’s Day or certain Birthdays of the members in there I just call their cell phone if they sign up with their information, so that EP was set up just for that membership but once it got out there and people started liking it I just put it up for everybody after a while.

Terrance - Can you briefly give us a break down track-by-track.

TQ - “My Room” is basically an introduction to it. Like most of my career I’ve done my own brand of R&B and it hasn’t necessarily been love songs or sensual songs or sexual songs and this is kinda the first time I put a full piece together so My Room is saying welcome to this side of me which is just straight up R&B.

“Extra Strong” I see there’s a lack in relationships of manhood all the way down. So basically this is me telling a woman, a new woman or relationship that I’m in that if I’mma bring it, if you’re gonna be with me I’mma bring it in all areas. I’mma bring it extra strong, nothing about it gonna be weak.

“Rise” I’ll call it male morning sickness. I guess everybody dealt with it before it’s pretty straightforward. Early in the morning you’re in your bed with your woman. It happens naturally, it is what it is.

“Late” is a story about thinking a lot of relationships, you know, there’s a circle of us annoying each other, us loving each other, us being able to get each other out of funks and us having a way of putting each other in funks. So Late is about one of those times a guy and his girl, she’s putting him through the ringer and just imagine they’ve had a big argument, he’s sitting at home, he’s mad at her but thinking about her and just want to talk to her without yelling, screaming and hollering. He doesn’t necessarily want to call.

“How?” just says that how could I let something as great as you go. Something guys go through after they’ve after they thought they wanted a different type of lifestyle and go into that lifestyle and imagine themselves missing the woman they just left that was such a problem when they were with them. It’s just reflection. One of those reflective songs. I think overall women don’t get the man side, you know, we not really emotional like that. We don’t really speak about these types of things we go through in relationships and in between relationships going in and out of them. I think a couple of these songs especially that one show our side of it.

“Sideways” is actually a tribute, that’s a cover song by Citizen Cope  who is an alternative artist that I had a chance to go see live one night. I didn’t know who he was or anything but he sang this particular song. I absolutely loved it, I loved his performance, loved the writing of the song and I immediately bought the song and I listen and sing it out loud to myself all the time so I went on and recorded it.

Terrance - There’s also a single and video out for a song called “Coming Home”. Tell us about that?  

TQ - Coming Home is actually the first single off of my album of the same name coming out later this year. We were gonna put the album out last year and it just started taking on a whole new shape, so a lot of it started changing and we’d already put the single out, had a plan for it and went on and did a video and dropped it. The album is ready to go now but it’s just a little later than we had originally intended. That song is basically about a guy doing time in jail and he’s been hearing about his old lady getting into some frivolous activities while he’s been in jail. He doesn’t know if it’s true or not, but it’s rumors so it’s kinda about him confronting her first thing when he get out because he wants to get it from the horse mouth because she’s visited him many times and hasn’t said anything about anything so he’s coming home to take care of business.

For me the whole album I think is a turn in my career to just go back to the beginning. Like I said earlier, I always had my own brand of R&B and I think the difference between now and in the beginning I was just doing music just to be doing it, just doing what I wanted to hear. And overtime, you get with labels and it becomes a business, trying to make money and you’re not necessarily in control of your full creativity. At this point man it’s all about writing songs and this album will be a reflection of the beginning.

Terrance - Take us back to your breakthrough hit “Westside” and how it was conceived.

TQ - I wrote that song for my people on the west coast when we lost Tupac to you know bring us back together because honestly for two years straight I felt like we were getting no love. Everybody were saying Brooklyn, Brooklyn and it was all about Biggie when he was killed and I had no problem with that at all but I needed something to bring us back. That record then took off everywhere even in New York, Atlanta, Chicago and international like the Philippines, London, China.

Terrance - Speaking of International, you have a huge following overseas. What are your thoughts on American artists having greater successes in other territories of the world?

TQ - I say Go for it. It’s all about paying attention to your fan base and who appreciate and value you as an artist. The way my career is set up in the international markets it allows me to keep working, performing and traveling without being in the major system.

Terrance - After establishing yourself, you then became affiliated with Cash Money Records. How did that happen?

TQ - I met Baby and Slim in LA around ‘99 when they were promoting the 400 Degreez album by Juvenile and they were on the radio asking where is TQ and from that point my pager and cell was blowing up from people telling me I need to find Slim, Baby, you know Cash Money, they out here looking for you. I met them at their hotel, we exchanged numbers, it started happening from there. At the time LA was the biggest market for my music, then New Orleans so they respected my music and what I was doing. They eventually bought me out of my contract with Epic and I made a lot of money with Cash Money so I’m grateful for the opportunity.

Terrance - You’ve been a guest feature on a lot of songs in your career. Which feature stands out most to you and why?

TQ - That’s a good one. I would have to say Way of Life with Wayne and Birdman and that’s the biggest collaboration I did so far. I loved how it flowed and came together. Wayne was at his best during that time and that’s not to neglect his later work but there was something magical about that joint and I’m grateful to have been a part of.

Terrance - The late Static Major collaborated with you and Krayzie Bone on the song “Paradise”. What was that experience like?

TQ - That song comes from the album of the same name. For me, the whole album has such a dark cloud over it and I have a hard time listening to it because Static and I had established a good friendship during the making of that song, we would hang out, party together. The song itself is never easy to perform but fans request it and I would never let them down.

Terrance - Not many may be aware you were part of the 90’s R&B group Coming of Age that produced smooth grooves like “Intimate”, “Baby Be Still”, “Coming Home to Love”, “One In A Million”. Do you still keep in touch with any of the guys?

TQ - Actually I was in the studio laying down a track a couple years ago with one of the guys . We all don’t sit down for dinners but we talk every now and then.

Terrance - Who were your greatest musical influences?

TQ - Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Tupac and N.W.A. They were writing about subjects that were relevant at the time and setting it to music. Marvin was talking about What’s Going On? At that time that was one of the biggest questions, so I knew if I wrote from the heart I would do well. I would also throw in Prince.

Terrance - Do you remember the first album you ever owned and what it meant to you?

TQ - The original Straight Outta Compton album by N.W.A is the first album I ever purchased with my own money. It meant a lot to me because I grew up in Compton and related to what they were expressing.

Terrance - What’s the biggest misconception about yourself?

TQ - People thinking I’m a rapper when I’m far from it (laughs). You know, it’s annoying as hell when I see my music in the rap section in music stores.

Terrance - In two words how would you describe your sound?

TQ - Reality R&B

Terrance - What would be your profession if it wasn’t music?

TQ - Definitely law. When I was younger my mindset was on American football.

Terrance - I remember Jermaine Dupri saying once with a lot of artists today, you’ll only get two or three albums and that’s pretty much their career. As an independent artist, you’ve had the longevity and still going and I’d like to congratulate you on that.

TQ - Thank you and to all the supporters who make it possible to continue to do what I love.

Terrance - Any last words?

TQ - Look out for the Coming Home album soon and you could follow me

Twitter: @TQtheTrojan

Facebook: TheRealTQ

Instagram: tqthetrojan

Website: therealtq.com